Chapter 23 – Daredevil’s Favor
"Go on."
"I have a friend," Matt said. "Luke Cage. He's in Harlem. Recently ran into a… physical problem. Not something a normal hospital can handle."
The name triggered immediate recall.
Lynn's cognition assembled the profile almost instantly—
Carl Lucas.
Subject of a prison-based experimental procedure involving chemical augmentation and cellular regeneration.
Result:
Extremely high-density dermal structureSuperhuman strengthExceptional resistance to ballistic and blunt-force trauma
Not absolutely indestructible—
But functionally close under conventional conditions.
Lynn's pulse shifted once—
Then stabilized.
"What kind of problem?"
"I'd rather not say here," Matt replied. "But it's outside the scope of normal medicine. I want to give him your contact."
"Do it," Lynn said. "That's the purpose of this clinic."
Matt nodded.
He took out a business card and placed it on the table.
"Murdoch & Nelson."
A brief pause.
"If you run into trouble, you can call me. Legal help—or otherwise."
"What qualifies as 'otherwise'?" Lynn asked.
A faint smile.
"That depends on what kind of trouble."
Matt stood.
Picked up his cane.
As he passed the doorway—
He slowed.
The Punisher.
Frank didn't move.
But his posture shifted.
Subtle.
Ready.
Two seconds.
No words exchanged.
Matt left.
"You know him?" Lynn asked.
Frank turned a page.
"…Yeah."
"Daredevil."
Frank didn't respond.
But the tension in his fingers—
Increased.
They had a history.
Not cooperative.
Not neutral.
Conflict.
Frank—
Eliminates threats.
Matt—
Prevents escalation.
Irreconcilable methods.
Yet both operated here.
Under the same roof.
One at the door.
One as a patient.
Neither acknowledged the other.
Balance—
Temporary.
Lynn placed the card into the drawer.
Internal state updated:
Super IntelligenceSuper SensesSelf-Healing Factor (partial)
Cognitive capacity—
High.
Perception—
High.
Physical durability—
Insufficient.
Target:
Luke Cage.
If even one attribute could be copied—
Survivability would increase significantly.
No action required.
They would come.
They always did.
That evening—
Before leaving—
Frank dropped a paper bag on the table.
"Check it."
Then he was gone.
Inside—
Documents.
Roughly formatted.
Functional.
Underworld intelligence.
Content:
A shipment.
Material:
Vibranium.
Origin:
Wakanda.
Transit:
Johannesburg.
Entry:
Brooklyn docks.
Status:
Already distributed into Hell's Kitchen black market.
Quantity:
Approximately fifty rounds.
Lynn paused.
Three seconds.
Vibranium.
A metal with extreme durability and energy-dissipation properties.
Under specialized configuration—
Capable of penetrating high-resistance targets.
Even someone like Luke Cage—
Would not be immune.
He locked the documents away.
Conclusion formed:
Luke Cage would need help.
Soon.
Four days later.
11:47 p.m.
Three approaching signals.
First:
Male.
~100 kg.
Heart rate elevated but stable.
Movement controlled.
Right abdominal anomaly—
Internal metallic friction.
Foreign object confirmed.
Second:
Female.
~60 kg.
Supporting the first.
Respiration elevated.
Scent:
Antiseptic.
Medical professional.
Third:
Male.
Cane contact.
Measured rhythm.
Daredevil.
Lynn moved downstairs.
Opened the door.
They arrived.
Luke Cage stood at the entrance.
Massive frame.
Nearly 1.9 meters.
Muscle density high.
But—
Compromised.
Skin tone dulled.
Peripheral cyanosis.
Fatigue visible.
Right hand pressed against abdomen.
Localized swelling.
Beside him—
Claire Temple.
Clinical posture.
Hands steady.
Eyes tired.
"Doctor," Matt said, stepping forward, "this is Luke. He's not in good condition."
"Inside."
They moved to the inner room.
Reinforced.
Isolated.
Luke sat.
Exhaled heavily.
The system activated.
[Patient: Luke Cage (Powerman)]
[Injury Assessment:]
Vibranium projectile embedded subcutaneously in right abdomenDistance: ~1.2 cm from portal veinExternal wound sealed via accelerated dermal regenerationForeign object encapsulated internallyOngoing micro-damage to surrounding hepatic tissue
[Constraint: Dermal hardness exceeds standard surgical penetration capability]
[Mortality: 37%]
[Progression: Liver failure within ~6 weeks if untreated]
[Reward Potential: A-Rank Talent]
A-rank.
Lynn's heartbeat shifted—
Then stabilized.
Expression unchanged.
"Let me see."
Luke lifted his shirt.
There was no open wound.
No bleeding.
Only—
A faint, coin-sized scar.
Fully healed.
The bullet—
Still inside.